Westchester County Towns And Villages Police Dispatcher Exam

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Open Competitive

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

CIVIL SERVICE CAREER

OPPORTUNITIES

County Service · Westchester Medical Center ·Towns · Villages · School Districts

· Special Districts · Cities of Peekskill & Rye

Last Filing Date: 8/27/07

Date Posted: 7/30/07

JBCL: 0144

Exam #: 65-502

Exam Date: 10/13/07

WRITTEN, LISTENING AND PERFORMANCE TESTS

POLICE DISPATCHER

Towns, Villages, Cities of Peekskill and Rye

A NON-REFUNDABLE $25.00 APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEPARATELY NUMBERED EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY. SEE APPLICATION FILING FEE STATEMENT ON LAST SECTION OF ANNOUNCEMENT.

SALARY

Varies with Jurisdiction

RESIDENCE

There are no residence requirements to participate in the examination, but preference in appointment may be given to eligibles that have been residents in the appointing jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the examination and at the effective date of appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and either: (a) one year of paid or verifiable, full time equivalent volunteer experience in a police or fire department, EMS or ambulance agency which involved working on automated equipment as a dispatcher; or ( one year of military experience in a communications division which involved working on automated equipment; or © one year of experience which involved using the New York State Police Information Network; or (d) satisfactory completion of a training program as a Certified First Responder Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic issued by the New York State Department of Health; or (e) satisfactory completion of a Basic Firefighter Training Course by the New York State Department of Fire Prevention and Control.

SUBSTITUTION: Completion of 30 credits in a college or university may be substituted for the required experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) CJIS Security Policy, police dispatchers are required to undergo both a Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and FBI criminal fingerprint based background check in order to train and become certified on the New York Statewide Police Information Network (NYSPIN) computer system.

Note: The number of years of experience required in the minimum qualifications is based upon the presumption of full-time employment. Part-time experience will be prorated based on a 35 hour workweek.

*SPECIAL NOTE: Education beyond the secondary level must be from an institution recognized or accredited by the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department as a post-secondary, degree-granting institution.

ONLY EXPERIENCE GAINED AFTER ATTAINING THE MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL INDICATED IN THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING EXPERIENCE.

ALL CANDIDATES QUALIFYING BY POST HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION MUST SUBMIT AN OFFICIAL (RAISED SEAL AND SIGNED BY REGISTRAR) TRANSCRIPT (S) TO THIS OFFICE BY DECEMBER 13, 2007, UNLESS ALREADY ON FILE IN OUR OFFICE. IF IT IS ON FILE, PLEASE INDICATE THIS ON YOUR APPLICATION. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A SCORE FOR THIS EXAMINATION.

NOTE: If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of a Police Officer or Senior Police Dispatcher, an employee in this class has the responsibility for the operation of a two-way communications system in receiving, sending and monitoring messages in a municipal Police Department communication system. The incumbent in this position requires a high degree of accuracy and alertness in dispatching police vehicles to disorders and complaints in accordance with prescribed routine. A Police Dispatcher may be required to wear a prescribed uniform (not a police uniform), but does not perform general police duties. This work requires the ability to readily learn how to operate the specific police communication system and the ability to keep and maintain records of average complexity. Supervision is not usually a responsibility of this position. Does related work as required.

VACANCIES

The eligible list established as a result of this examination will be utilized, where appropriate, for filling any current or future vacancies in all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Westchester County Department of Human Resources.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION

This examination will consist of three parts: on day of examination; a written and listening test, at a later weekday date; a performance examination on a personal computer.

WRITTEN TEST is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1. Coding/Decoding Information - These questions test for the ability to use written directions to code and decode information accurately. You will be asked to apply sets of coding rules to code information and to interpret coded information. Complete directions will be provided; no previous knowledge of or training in any coding system is required.

2. Following Directions (Maps) - These questions test your ability to follow physical/geographic directions using street maps or building maps. You will have to read and understand a set of directions and then use them on a simple map.

3. Retaining and Comprehending Spoken Information from Calls for Emergency Services - These questions test retention and comprehension of information in calls for emergency services. Some questions test retention of specifics, such as street addresses, or comprehension of the spoken information, such as determining the location of a site in relation to landmarks. Each of these questions is weighted 1.0. Other questions test comprehension and application of directions for filling in a form. Each of these questions is weighted 0.2. Several simulated 911 calls will be played on audio CD. After listening to each call, candidates will be asked from two to four questions about the information that was presented in the call. The time to answer them will be limited. The CD will keep track of the time and, at the end of each answer period, will automatically begin to play the next call. Note paper will be provided. Candidates will be permitted to take notes and to refer to them when answering the questions.

4. Radio Operations and Dispatching Procedures - These questions test for knowledge of two-way radio systems and operations, and may cover dispatching procedures when appropriate.

5. Understanding and Interpreting Written Material - These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will be asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.

LISTENING TEST: The written test series for public safety dispatchers will include an audio-based test for all hands-on public safety dispatchers and related titles. It is called Retaining and Comprehending Spoken Information from Calls for Emergency Services. The Listening Test uses two media: booklet(s) and audio tape. After each call is played, candidates will read questions in a test booklet and answer them on a standard answer paper.

PERFORMANCE TEST: A performance test will also be held at a later WEEKDAY DATE, to be announced. The written test will be a ranking test and the performance test will be a qualifying (pass/fail) test. You must pass both the written and performance tests to be considered for appointment. Since the performance test is qualifying (pass/fail), if you pass the performance test your final score for the examination will be the score that you achieve on the written test.

Candidates may be invited to the performance test in the order of the scores that they achieve on the written test. The Westchester County Department of Human Resources reserves the right to give the performance test to only as many candidates as are needed to fill available vacancies.

The test will be administered on the conventional personal computer (PC). You will be using a conventional PC keyboard, but you will not be using a mouse.

SUBJECT: The test consists of three parts, each preceded by a separate practice session. It will test your ability to enter the kinds of information that dispatchers and related personnel must process for fire, police, and emergency medical services. You will not need any specific information prior to the test; rather, complete on-screen instructions will tell you all that you need to know in order to take the test. In order to pass, you must enter the data at a rate of least 6,000 keystrokes per hour (which is equal to typing approximately 20 words per minute), with an accuracy rate of least 97.5%.

RETEST POLICY: Candidates who fail the performance test will be permitted a retest which will be given on the same day as the original performance test.

NOTE: All candidates are required to take the 911 performance test for this examination. Candidates who have previously taken and passed a 911 performance test will not be waived.

GENERAL NOTICE TO CANDIDATES FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

1. Candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held, and solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, spell checkers, personal digital assistants, address books, language translators, dictionaries, or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials to the examination location.

2. If you are filing for any other jurisdiction’s examination(s) (i.e. New York State, New York City, another County, Yonkers, New Rochelle, White Plains, Mt. Vernon), that are being given on the same date as this examination, you are required to notify this office in writing no less than two (2) weeks prior to the examination date. Failure to provide such information may result in disqualification from one or more examinations in this series. There is NO reciprocity with New York City, and you must make a choice between the two jurisdictions.

3. Candidates who fail to receive either their admission notice or final disqualification notice by the Thursday prior to the examination are responsible for calling the Department of Human Resources (995-2117), for instructions.

4. ELIGIBLE LISTS - Lists may be established for a maximum of four years. The resulting eligible list will be used to fill appropriate vacancies as they occur in the agencies listed on the face of this announcement.

5. FOR COUNTY EMPLOYMENT - In accordance with Westchester County’s comprehensive Drug-Free Workplace Policy and Procedures, and commitment to maintain a safe, alcohol and drug- free work environment, you may be required to submit to a urinalysis and/or blood test.

6. This examination will be prepared and rated in accordance with Section 23(2) of the Civil Service Law. The provisions of the New York State Civil Service Law, rules and regulations dealing with the preparation and rating of examinations will apply to this examination.

7. Disabled and non-disabled veterans, who meet the criteria set forth in the Application for Examination, may be eligible for additional credits added to their earned scores if successful in examination. CREDITS MUST BE CLAIMED AT THE TIME OF FILING YOUR APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION AND YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR DD214 SEPARATION PAPERS. If claiming credit as a Disabled Veteran, attach form 102. If these documents are not submitted within sixty days of filing your application, your claim will be denied. "Active duty members of the Armed Forces have the right to request veteran credits prior to discharge. If you are currently on active duty you should check the appropriate box on the application and attach a letter requesting the use of credits with documentation verifying your active duty status: i.e. copy of military ID, military orders, official documents indicating current service, etc." See our website section "Special Rights for Veterans" for details regarding the use of these credits."

8. In conformance with section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points on a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION FILING FEE

A $25.00 APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEPARATELY NUMBERED EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY. THE FEE MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR APPLICATION (S) AND MUST BE RECEIVED IN OUR OFFICE AT THE ADDRESS NOTED BELOW BY THE LAST FILING DATE.

SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES WITH YOUR APPLICATION. WRITE THE EXAMINATION NUMBER (S) AND THE APPLICANT’S NAME ON THE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

APPLICATION FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE. IF YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED FROM OR FAIL TO APPEAR FOR THE EXAMINATION, YOUR FEE IS NOT REFUNDED. THEREFORE, WE URGE YOU TO COMPARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS CAREFULLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION AND FILE ONLY FOR THOSE EXAMINATIONS FOR WHICH YOU ARE CLEARLY QUALIFIED.

IF YOUR APPLICATION IS RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED FEE, IT WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU. SHOULD YOU WISH TO REFILE WITH THE REQUIRED FEE, YOUR APPLICATION AND THE APPROPRIATE FEES MUST BE RETURNED PRIOR TO, OR POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN, THE LAST FILING DATE. (METERED MAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE LAST FILING DATE.)

THE APPLICATION FILING FEE IS SUBJECT TO BEING INCREASED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency. Documentation proving eligibility must be submitted with each application. All claims for application fee waivers are subject to verification.

You may obtain blank application forms in person and submit completed exam application forms to the:

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

SUITE 100, MICHAELIAN OFFICE BUILDING

148 MARTINE AVENUE

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK 10601

Completed applications MUST be postmarked NO LATER THAN THE LAST FILING DATE and must have the required application fee attached; or, if not mailed, delivered to the above address together with the required application fee attached NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. on the last filing date.

NOTE: RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION - Most written tests are held on Saturdays. If you cannot take the test on the announced test date due to a conflict with a religious observance or practice, check the appropriate box under “Testing Accommodation” on your application. We will make arrangements for you to take the test on a different date.

DISABLED APPLICANTS - If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on your application.

Candidates are responsible for reporting in writing, all changes in name and/or address directly to the “Recruitment and Selection Unit” at the above address. Please include examination number on all correspondence.

Admission cards may not be mailed to candidates until ten days prior to the examination date.

Candidates, who receive disqualification notices and wish to appeal such disqualification, must do so in writing.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. It is the policy of Westchester County to provide for and promote the equal opportunity of employment, compensation and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

www.westchestergov.com/hr